It is the modern-day cliché espoused by players, managers and coaches in all
sports that there are always positives to take out of defeat. But for once
that was actually true after England's thumping defeat in Kochi on Tuesday.

Positives: Samit Patel and Steve Finn bowled well for the first 40 overs in KochiPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

Until the 40th over of India's innings England's bowling had been pleasingly admirable. Indeed Steven Finn and Samit Patel had produced performances that were some way better than any of theirs in recent times.

But then, of course, came a ferocious late onslaught from Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja that propelled India to an imposing total of 285-6.

“I thought we were excellent for 40-42 overs,” said Finn at a crowded Kochi airport on Wednesday, “but the last eight let us down a little bit. Hopefully we will learn from that and it won't happen again.

“It was excellent batsmanship, some of the best I have bowled against, but we have to come up with different plans to counteract what they are going to do. So we will devise some plans over the next few days and hopefully they'll work in the next game.”

It was certainly an occasion that has left its mark on the England players, with the noise of a crowd, that match referee Andy Pycroft reckoned might have been near 75,000, creating a stunning atmosphere.

“We had the discussion and wondered what sporting event in the world is that loud for that sustained period of time,” said Finn.

“I am not sure there is one. It was something completely different to what we have experienced before. We know the one-day cricket in India is busy, it can be carnage, but it was amazing and great to play in an atmosphere like that.

"Hopefully the next three games will be the same.”

Given the reception both teams were given when arriving in Ranchi on Wednesday night, with hometown hero Dhoni mobbed, there will doubtless be similar excitement, if not the size of crowd, for the series' third match on Saturday.

And England will be hoping for better luck with the umpiring decisions. In Kochi Alastair Cook was wrongly adjudged lbw and Finn received an absolute shocker, given out caught behind first ball off Ravi Ashwin's doosra.

“Well, I didn't think I got anywhere near it,” Finn said, “The umpires have a very difficult job and moving forward DRS (Decision Review System) has an big part to play in the future of cricket, I think. Ideally it would be unified.

"If there is DRS, they should have it everywhere.”

But Finn is not picked to bat. He is picked out here to lead England's attack.

“I've enjoyed leading the Middlesex bowling attack,” he says, “and over the last 12 months when I have taken responsibility of opening the bowling (for England) in the Twenty20s and one-dayers, it is something I have enjoyed.

"Without those guys (Stuart Broad and James Anderson) here, it is important I step up and take that leadership role a little.”